The Bossier banner., 1887-06-09
OLD FIELD SPORTS.
<Hawking," as Used in the Chase
for Centuries.

sHawking," as Used In the Chase
for Centuries.
xsxlish Dogs That Have Followed the
rhase since the Middle Ages-The
Hawk After It's Game, the
Wary Heron.
The English and Americans agree
with the ancients in according high
rank to field sports. The hunting Of
savage animals was the highest branch,
ior not only skill and courage were
necessary, but great presence Of mind
"a we'll But it has been left to the
moderns to most thoroughly appreciate
seld sports. One reason is they are
better qualified to admire the successful
adaptation of means to an end; and,
secondly, because from their prosperous
condition they are not to any extent
dependent upon the game they kill.
The forest music is to hear the hounds
Rsnd the thin air, and with q lusty cry
Their perfect language In mingled sound
Homer gives most graphic descrip-
ton Of an archery match, sort Of
a0ld Hats pigeon-match, between
two crack shots, Experienced Merton
and skillful Tencer,'' the Osbaldistone
md Horace Ross, the DIR. Carver and
Buffalo Bill Of this day. The target
was milk-white dove, tied by q cord
b the top Of a frst-rate gallery. The
prizes were ten double-cdged war
axes to whoever killed the bird,
and ten single axes to the one who
should divide the cord. The COM
petitors drew lots and Tencer got
ths first shot, dividing the cord with
asingle arrow. Merton then took aim
and bagged the bird on the wing.
There being no reporters for the daily
press present at this remarkable match,
We shall be compelled to take Homer's
word, unsupported, for the accuracy Of
he statement.
n ahcient times the bow, Of course,
vas the chief implement of war and the
chase, and by the expertness of the bold
afches has often decided the fate Of bat
ties and Of empires. To an improve
ment Of the weapon termed the cross
bon our hardy forefathers were princi-
pally indebted for their famous victories
g Agincourt, Cressy and Poltiers.
Hence the English archers became the
most renowned in all Europe. Previous
@ the invention of firearms and gum
powder the bow formed the almost uni
yersal weapon in the forest and in the
neld. Il appears that the cross-bow
xas introduced in England by William
re Conqueror. An act made in the
mn year Of the reign of Edward ~.
directs that every Englishman have a
ocW Of bis own height, Of yew, ash,
hazel. or auburn; that butts shall be
maze IN every township, which the in
nsoatants are to shoot at every feast
oay under the penalty Of half-penny
when they shall omit this exercise.
several other statutes were made In
succeeding reigns for the promotion Of
sacnery; and in the eighth year Of
.nsrles |. commission was issued by
ne King to the Chancellor, Lord Mayor
snd several Of tho Privy Council, to
Revent the fields near London being
nclcsed, 80 as to interrupt the neces-
NY and profitable exercise Of shoot
E and also to lower the mounds
snere they prevented the view from
oae q another. In 1853 targets were
.scsed IN the Finsbury fields during
sser and Whitsun holidays. when the
oea shooter was made captain and the
second best lieutenant.
Logs were used in the chase as far
ack = we have any records Of field
sPes s3 In quaint volume printed in
1s0v Y found curious account of the
sal'eties Of British dogs that are to be
a'es NTH in England. They are emu
erated as follows: The ..terrare,
sr bludhunde, gasehunde, gre
aaaae leoire or lyemmer, tumbler,
PANEL, setter. water spaniel or fynder,
saspnerd s dog, massive or band dog,
N1ae spit Ounce" The terrare is
oosniy the progenitor Of our terrier.
3 = described as small kind of hound
s4ed 70 force the fox and other animals
ss g their holes. The harier was used
$ aontlng the hare. The bludhunde
s.a.nhund was of great use and held
h esteem among our ancestors.
- remarkable then as now for its
~ snessof scent, tracing any wounded
~ ! game that had escaped the hunter,
aoilowing the trail of the marauder,
q ssser how great the distance. It
g great service on the borders Of
aaod and England when the raids
ou!aws upon the herds and fiocks
nequent and disastrous. They
. siso used BY Wallace and Bruce
tho civil warS